Have you heard the one about the prostitute and the bachelor? But the latest ROADS production, "Rattle of a Simple Man" is no lewd, lust story. Instead it is a thoughtful study of relationships - and well worth watching.
Playing to a surprisingly small audience on its first night, the three-strong cast told the tale of the tart with a heart and the naive northern bachelor in an accomplished and confident performance.
Three months of intensive rehearsals clearly paid off for Jane Russell as the streetwise Cyrene, Derek Wood, as Percy, the northern football supporter with a penchant for washing up and Nigel Patrick as Cyrene's brother Richard..
Set in the 60’s, this Charles Dyer play seemed slightly dated in the un shockable 90’s but the characters were engaging and entertaining with a universal story to tell.
Cyrene lives in a fantasy world that covers up a sad and sordid reality. Jane bravely stripped off in the opening scenes proving her confidence as an actress and her performance never faltered despite an almost continuous presence on stage.
Derek has had a meteoric rise to fame with ROADS since his first performance two years ago, it is justly deserved, as Percy, he has realized all the promise that his early small roles showed.
He and Jane worked well together which is vital for the success of the play, and his northern accent never slipped. It would have been an easy role to overplay given the litany of shortcomings Percy has, but the cotton mill laboratory technician and scout master who came up the Thames on a pogo stick with a bell on it, was sensitively portrayed.
Nigel 's role was only small but perfectly formed! The passionate exchange between brother and sister was emotional but never over the top and revealed much about the characters. Here is an actor who promises great things for future productions.
Director Dave Kent describes the play as a funny, sad and moving story it is all those things. With the help of a backstage crew which far outnumbers the cast, he has created a fine production which is summed up by the intro. fly of the magazine prop on the coffee table entitled Ideal Home.

Kate Tonge